Explanation:
Indicated on this
infrared image of the galactic center region
is the position of SGR 1900+14 - the strongest known magnet in the galaxy.
SGR 1900+14 is believed to be a
city-sized,
spinning, super-magnetic neutron star,
or Magnetar.
How strong is a Magnetar's magnetic field?
The Earth's magnetic field which deflects compass needles is measured
to be about 1 Gauss,
the strongest fields sustainable in Earth-based laboratories are
about 100,000 Gauss, yet the Magnetar's monster magnetic field
is estimated to be 1,000,000,000,000,000 Gauss.
A magnet this strong, located at about half the distance to the Moon
would easily erase your credit cards and suck pens out of your pocket.
From a distance of about 20,000 light-years,
SGR 1900+14 recently generated
a powerful flash of gamma-rays detected
by many spacecraft.
That blast of high-energy radiation is now known to have
had a measurable effect on Earth's ionosphere.
At the surface of the Magnetar,
its powerful magnetic field is thought to buckle and shift the neutron
star crust generating the intense gamma-ray flares.